Parking: Lakefront parking can be found off of Lake Rd just west of Holt Rd. There’s a short driveway that can be easily missed. Additional lakefront parking can be found at Kanatota Lodge just to the west and the White House Lodge to the east. Parking in the wooded area of the park can be found near each lodge, or near the Holt and Lake Rd Intersection. Below is a map showing all the different places to park. There is space for over a hundred cars.

Information / Accessibility / Accommodations

Seasons/Hours: Daily 7am to 11pm, except: November 1st until March 31st, Monday through Thursday the park is open 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Contact Information

Description

Just east of Rochester and Irondequoit Bay, Webster Park encompasses 550 acres of wooded hills, flowing creeks, a few playing fields and a sliver of developed lakefront access. It is one of the few Monroe County facilities to offer camping sites, with 40 water/electric sites and showers. The park also features five enclosed and well-equipped lodges (two of which are lakefront), and eight pavilions (two lakefront). The number and quality of shelters here make this park a popular spot for large get-togethers.

Beyond the modern developments, what makes Webster Park so special is the geology. Three creeks (West, East and Mill Creek) run through the park, cutting through small glacial drumlins (hills) as they make their way toward Lake Ontario. The result is a fertile expanse of rolling hills and rushing water. With the lakefront angled toward the west, the sun sets clearly over the lake in the summer months, a favorite spot for area photographers.

Popular year-round, people come in warm weather to camp, hike and enjoy the lake views. The lakefront is often used by casual fishermen who can cast from the concrete pier — also a favorite for couples to sit and watch the sun set over the lake. Five hiking trails offer easy to moderate walks throughout the park over rolling hills and along the many creeks.

In the winter months, the trails fill with cross-country skiers, the hills are spotted with families sledding. When there is snow, this is easily one of the busiest recreational areas in the region.

It is unfortunate that this beautiful park has such a flawed lakefront. Summer visitors will notice it immediately as they step out of their cars in the Lake Rd parking lot. The smell of the water coming out of Mill Creek is almost unbearable to some, while others have gotten used to it. What causes the stink? Why is the water here so slimy and green?

Downstream in the town, treated sewage water enters a branch of Mill Creek near Wall Rd. The water passes through residential districts and near farmland, picking up nutrient-rich runoff along the way. When it approaches the park, it slows down and is pretty much stagnant as it reaches the lake. Several more factors here contribute to the problem: the combination of the breakwall at the outlet and the fishing pier just to the east, prevent the lake’s current from circulating with the creek’s discharge. In addition, several other nutrient-rich sources (including the other creeks in the park, Irondequoit Bay and the Genesee River) join the lake upcurrent from this site. These nutrient-rich waters cause algal blooms, which further stagnate the water with green slime and a putrid smell. Visitors who feed the ducks and geese at the park only compound the problem.

Considering the high property values in this neighborhood, and especially for the adjoining properties, one would think this problem would be a priority. The smell seems to calm down during early spring and on windy days. We visited no less than 8 times in the last several years, only to find the smell still there, if not stronger each subsequent visit.

(Also known as: Webster Park, Kanatota Beach)

Hiking / Walking Trails

Difficulty: Easy

Markings: Trails are wood-chip lined and have trail-head markings.

Our recommended walk:
Start by checking out the lake from the park across Lake Rd. Head across the street and a little west to find the blue diamond trailhead for the Ridge Point trail. Continue through intersection 19 to enter the Ryan’s Point trail, which will cross East Creek toward the park road. At intersection 39 you can follow the road to continue on the west loop.

Webster Park Interactive Map

Drag the map or click the arrows to move around and use the +/- to zoom in or out. Click on the icons for more information. This map is not accurate. Caution and common sense should be used when hiking.

History

The town was named after Daniel Webster, a congressman from New Hampshire who negotiated the Webster-Ashburton Treaty with Britain following the War of 1812. The treaty defined the eastern border between Canada and the United States.

Interesting Stuff

White House Lodge

The White House Lodge is one of the more elaborate meeting places in the Monroe County Parks system. Capable of hosting parties of up to 100 people, it features the following amenities: fully heated; large grill; electrical outlets; 16 six foot tables inside; 4 eight foot picnic tables outside; stove; oven; ample parking; gas fireplace; flush toilets inside (handicap accessible); gas burning stove; kitchen sink; oven; refrigerator. Located on the lakeshore in a secluded section of the park. Online shelter reservations.

Minks

A family of Minks (Mustela vison) lives within the rock pile walls of the fishing pier. They are curious little animals and seemingly friendly. They are carnivorous and have ample opportunity to catch crayfish and mice here. It is best that you don’t handle or feed them.

Photography Tips

Sunsets

The angle of the shore (towards the east) give this park a nice vantage point for Lake Ontario sunsets.

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